Tennessee Volunteers already starting with wacky season of injuries

While some of the Volunteers get better with injuries, others are finding their names on the injury list.

Earlier this week Butch Jones mentioned that junior linebacker Curt Maggitt and senior defensive linemen Jacques Smith could both return to the playing field as early as this Saturday when the Vols’ play host to Western Kentucky.

Jones mentioned that Maggitt had returned to the practice field in a non-contact jersey for the first time since his injury in an overtime loss to Missouri towards the end of the 2012 season. Meanwhile, Smith has been sidelined up until this point in the season with a broken wrist, but had the pins taken out on Tuesday and may also make his return as early as Saturday against the Hilltoppers.

Nothing has yet been confirmed by Jones, and to this point no changes have been made to Saturday’s depth chart, but one will soon be made that was unforeseen.

During Tuesday’s practice junior wide receiver and special teams return man Devrin Young suffered a wrist injury. It is still unsure if the former local high school standout from Bearden High School has broken his wrist, but what’s certain is that the extent of the injury could keep him sidelined anywhere from 1-6 weeks.

Young was a running back coming out of high school, but was mainly recruited for his kick and punt return abilities. Over the course of last season former offensive coordinator Jim Chaney subtly moved him from the running back position to receiver, and even after the coaching change has since stayed listed as a receiver on the depth chart.

If unable to go on Saturday it is likely Vols’ freshman corner back Cameron Sutton, and sophomore wide receiver Pig Howard will see time at the return man position since they are both listed as the current backups to Young.

Tennessee will kickoff at 12:21 p.m. against Western Kentucky in Neyland Stadium, with coverage able to be found on the SEC Network.